About Us
During the spring of 2022, a group of concerned Rhode Island United Methodists came together
to focus on social justice issues, and Hearts for Social Justice was born. In September 2022,
Hearts for Social Justice joined forces with the RI United Methodists Association
and became Hearts for Social Justice/Rhode Island United Methodists in Action.
Our Mission is to build a movement here in Rhode Island to address the social justice issues of our time.
We are guided in this work by the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church.
Our hearts break at the injustices in the world, but with God we can heal the breaks and become stronger.
The challenges are many and the need is great. No one can do it all, but there is strength
in joining together that allows our voices to be amplified, our reach greater.
We are a 501(c) organization.
to focus on social justice issues, and Hearts for Social Justice was born. In September 2022,
Hearts for Social Justice joined forces with the RI United Methodists Association
and became Hearts for Social Justice/Rhode Island United Methodists in Action.
Our Mission is to build a movement here in Rhode Island to address the social justice issues of our time.
We are guided in this work by the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church.
Our hearts break at the injustices in the world, but with God we can heal the breaks and become stronger.
The challenges are many and the need is great. No one can do it all, but there is strength
in joining together that allows our voices to be amplified, our reach greater.
We are a 501(c) organization.
The art of kintsugi repairs broken pottery
with gold, treating the breakage and the
repair as a part of the history of the object,
not something to be hidden or disguised.
Our kintsugi heart represents how
even though our hearts break at the
injustices in our world, by working
together we can heal the breaks and become stronger and more beautiful in the process.
Board of Directors
Co-Chair:Reverend Effie McAvoy, Shepherd of The Valley UMC
Co-Chair: Coni Ferland, Wesley UMC
Treasurer: Cynthia Mauch, Arnold Mills UMC
Secretary: Dave Larson, Arnold Mills UMC
At Large: Linda Cole, Wesley UMC
Ex Officio: District Superintendent Reverend Wanda Santos-Perez
Co-Chair:Reverend Effie McAvoy, Shepherd of The Valley UMC
Co-Chair: Coni Ferland, Wesley UMC
Treasurer: Cynthia Mauch, Arnold Mills UMC
Secretary: Dave Larson, Arnold Mills UMC
At Large: Linda Cole, Wesley UMC
Ex Officio: District Superintendent Reverend Wanda Santos-Perez
Members of HSJ with Bishop Peggy Johnson